OU’s Stoops Says QB Race Still Wide Open
Jul 23, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops speaks to the media during the Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops made it clear Tuesday at Big 12 Media Days that he doesn’t yet know who his starting quarterback will be this season.
He doesn’t want you making assumptions, either.
Whether
Stoops believes there is no decision on the most important player on the field is dubious and not especially important. If he knows, he ain’t tellin’.
Common perception has Blake Bell – he of the Bell-dozer package, utilized in recent years – taking the reins of the offense.
Stoops denied such a decision has been reached, contending it remains a hotly contested three-man race to see who will be QB1.
“You’re kind of making assumptions if you think he’s the guy right now,” Stoops said flatly, later adding that he didn’t want to tip his hand.
The non-existent upside to announcing a starter early makes it an easy decision for Stoops to wait. There is any number of upsides as well. It keeps all the quarterbacks engaged and working hard and it keeps the leader – assuming there is one – on his toes.
So instead, the storyline focuses on Bell trying to beat out Kendal Thompson and Trevor Knight for the job as the season opener nears.
For the record, when asked in a different way, Stoops was complimentary of Bell as a passer. He especially expressed confidence in Bell’s ability to throw the deep pass.
Still, don’t look for Stoops to announce a starting quarterback until the competition resumes in August.
“We’ve got a number of guys in there in competition with him that are doing really well, Kendal Thompson and Trevor Knight to go along with Blake Bell,” Stoops said. “We’ve never been real excited about naming a guy too early.”
Thompson and Knight, Stoops said, are faster than Bell and give the Sooners greater big-play potential. Bell, of course, is known as a human wrecking ball fully capable of lowering his shoulders and picking up 2-3 more yards.
Hearing Stoops speak, any of the three could be breakout stars. Naturally, that’s what coaches do at this time of the year if they wish to conceal their hand.